Skip to main content

Margot Fonteyn

(May 18, 1919 - February 21, 1991)

Margot Fonteyn was an extraordinary classical ballerina whose career spanned over 40 years, from 1934 to 1979. She spent most of her career as a dancer for England’s Royal Ballet, which helped it gain more exposure and out it on the international map. She made her debut as a snowflake in The Nutcracker in 1934 and had many significant roles in The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Swan Lake after another great ballerina, Alicia Markova, left the Royal Ballet. Her first major role was in Le Baiser de la Fee, which was one of many leading roles in her career. She made a significant impact on dance as she danced for more than 40 years across over 30 countries in over 80 roles and was an icon across the world.  

“Great artists are people who find the way to be themselves in their art.”